Trigger assist mechanism

ABSTRACT

A trigger assist mechanism operable to be mounted adjacent and in operating relationship to an existing trigger member on a firearm or weapon apparatus in order to reduce trigger pressure operable to contact and move the existing trigger member in a conventional firing operation. The trigger assist mechanism includes 1) a main connector anchor block assembly which is releasably connected to an oval guard member on the existing conventional trigger assembly; and 2) a trigger assist assembly pivotally connected to the main anchor block assembly. The main connector anchor block assembly includes a U-shaped anchor block member which can be releasably and adjustably connected to an existing oval guard member on the conventional trigger assembly. The trigger assist assembly includes a main trigger lever member which is pivotally connected to the main connector anchor block assembly and can be adjusted so as to place and actuate a roller member in contact with a portion of the existing trigger member. The main trigger lever member includes a curved trigger member operable at one end to be pivotally connected to the main connector anchor block assembly and the upper curved trigger member has an actuator section to receive a person&#39;s trigger finger, normally the forefinger, thereagainst to achieve a squeezing action which then contacts the existing trigger member and requires less trigger pressure to move the existing trigger member into an actuated or fired condition which then operates through a firing mechanism in a conventional manner.

PRIOR ART

A preliminary search was conducted by the applicant herein in the area of structures used to assist in actuating a conventional trigger assembly by a trigger assist mechanism of this invention.

No prior art patents were found in the search that operate in a manner similar to the applicant's invention herein. This search was conducted on the internet by searching the United States Patent and Trademark Office website (www.uspto.gov).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There has been a need in the area of skeet shooting, target shooting, and other competitive shooting between contestants in order to have a steady, even operation of a conventional trigger assembly and, more specifically, the movement of an existing trigger member found on a firearm or weapon apparatus such as pistols, shotguns, rifles, early manufactured weapons, and the like. The trigger assist mechanism provides for a smooth trigger movement with less trigger pressure required on a conventional trigger member in order to actuate an interconnected firing mechanism.

The trigger assist mechanism requires less pressure to move the existing trigger member and cause the firing mechanism to expel bullets therefrom. It is very important that a smooth force is utilized to achieve movement and, thus, reduce error in the firing of the firearm or weapon apparatus.

The applicant herein is well aware of the need for a trigger assist mechanism that will be mounted adjacent an existing trigger assembly and contact with an existing trigger member with less force required than normal to actuate the firing mechanism in a smooth, steady manner.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the trigger assist mechanism of this invention is operable to be mounted on a conventional trigger assembly on a firearm or weapon apparatus and, more specifically, mounted so as to contact an existing trigger member that is protected against inadvertent actuation by a trigger guard assembly.

The existing trigger member is provided with a curved trigger section pivotally connected to the trigger guard assembly. The trigger guard assembly includes a support connector plate having an oval guard member integral therewith. The support connector plate is provided with an anchor hole to receive a screw member for anchoring to a barrel section of the firearm or weapon apparatus.

The trigger assist mechanism is mountable on the trigger guard assembly and operable to engage the existing trigger member and operable with less trigger pressure to cause actuation of the existing trigger member and, thus, to operate the firing mechanism associated therewith.

The trigger assist mechanism includes 1) a main connector anchor block assembly releasably connectable to the trigger guard assembly of the conventional trigger assembly; and 2) a trigger assist assembly mounted on the main connector anchor block assembly and engageable with the existing trigger member of the conventional trigger assembly.

The main connector anchor block assembly includes a U-shaped anchor block member having outer spaced parallel support leg sections integral with a central support member.

Each leg section is provided with a trigger pivot pin hole in an upper outer end section operable to receive and support a trigger pivot pin therein.

One leg section is provided with a pair of spaced threaded anchor holes to receive anchor set screw members for anchoring to the trigger guard assembly as will be noted.

The central support member has an upper contact surface which is operable to engage a lower outer surface of the trigger guard assembly for stability.

The trigger assist assembly includes 1) a main trigger lever member pivotally connected to the U-shaped anchor block member; and 2) a trigger and roller assembly engageable and connected to the main trigger lever member.

The main trigger lever member includes a curved trigger member having an actuator section integral with a pivot connector section.

The pivot connector section includes aligned roller shaft openings and spaced trigger support openings. The roller shaft openings are to receive a roller shaft therein and the trigger support openings are to receive a trigger support shaft therein to allow pivotal movement of the curved trigger member.

The trigger and roller assembly includes 1) a trigger pivot member to receive and support the main trigger lever member thereon; 2) connector block anchor members, being a pair thereof, for securing the main connector anchor block assembly to the existing trigger guard assembly; and 3) a roller assembly rotatably connected to the main connector anchor block assembly and having a roller member to provide contact with the existing trigger member of the conventional trigger assembly to achieve the main operation and function of this invention.

The connector block anchor members are Allen set screw members, each having an Allen head member provided with a main body having external threads thereon, a pointed outer anchor section, and, at an opposite end, an Allen wrench opening operable to receive an actuator head of an Allen wrench therein to achieve rotation of the respective Allen head members.

The roller member is mounted within a roller actuator slot or cut-out in a lower end of the main trigger lever member.

The roller member has an outer contact surface operable to contact and cause movement of a lower end of a curved trigger section of the existing trigger member of the conventional trigger assembly. The existing trigger member is pivoted rearward requiring less pressure there against to do so which is the main purpose and function of this invention.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of this invention is to provide trigger assist mechanism which can be mounted adjacent an existing trigger member on a conventional trigger assembly on a firearm or weapon apparatus such as a pistol, shotgun, rifle, early manufactured weapon, firearm, or the like being operable to decrease the amount of trigger pressure needed to be placed against an existing trigger member in order to activate an interconnected firing mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a trigger assist mechanism that can be attached to existing trigger assemblies having a trigger member protected by a trigger guard assembly and the trigger assist mechanism is mounted on the existing trigger guard assembly in close proximity and contact with the existing trigger member and requires a lesser force due to leverage concepts so that the existing trigger member can be pivoted rearwardly with less force than normally required.

One other object of this invention is to provide a trigger assist mechanism which can be mounted on an existing trigger guard assembly of a conventional trigger assembly and operable on squeezing of a main trigger lever member in a conventional manner to move the conventional trigger assembly to actuate an existing firing mechanism with a lesser amount of trigger pressure required to do so.

A further object of this invention is to provide a trigger assist mechanism which can be quickly and securely fastened to a trigger guard assembly on a conventional trigger assembly and being operable on using a person's trigger finger to move an existing trigger member by a conventional trigger squeezing operation and requiring less pressure to do so which will then actuate a firing mechanism of the conventional firearm or weapon apparatus to achieve a smooth, less pressure requirement operation which is the important concept and feature of this invention.

Still, one further object of this invention is to provide a trigger assist mechanism connectable to a conventional trigger assembly on a firearm or weapon apparatus which is sturdy in construction, new and novel in operation; reliable in repeat trigger firing operations; readily accessible and easy to perform maintenance operations thereon; easy to install on conventional trigger assemblies; and substantially maintenance free.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURES OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trigger assist mechanism of this invention as connected to a conventional trigger assembly as found on a firearm or weapon apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the trigger assist mechanism as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the trigger assist mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the trigger assist mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the conventional trigger assembly with the trigger assist mechanism of this invention shown in an exploded perspective condition for clarity; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing movement and operation of the trigger assist mechanism of this invention in contact with a conventional trigger assembly to achieve rearward movement of the existing trigger member to a fired condition whereupon a firing mechanism is operable to expel a bullet member from an existing firearm or weapon apparatus.

The following is a discussion and description of a preferred specific embodiment of the new trigger assist mechanism of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar part and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description are not to limit the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

On referring to the drawings in detail and, in particular to FIG. 1, a trigger assist mechanism of this invention, indicated generally at 10, is shown as attached to a conventional trigger assembly 12 as found on a firearm or weapon apparatus including pistols, shotguns, rifles, and early manufactured weapons in which a trigger assembly is used to operate a firing mechanism to explode and release a bullet member from a firearm barrel in a conventional manner.

The purpose of the trigger assist mechanism 10 is to provide a means of actuating a conventional or existing trigger member 14 which is surrounded by a trigger guard assembly 16.

The existing trigger member 14 is provided with a curved trigger section 18 having a trigger pivot hole to receive a trigger pivot pin 22 therein.

The trigger guard assembly 16 includes an oval guard member 26 having a central trigger opening 30 enclosing the curved trigger section 18 therein to prevent accidental movement of the existing trigger member 14.

The oval guard member 26 having an anchor section 31 which has an anchor hole 28 therein operable to receive a screw member to be attached to a portion of the firearm or weapon apparatus in a conventional manner.

As noted in FIG. 5, the trigger assist mechanism 10 includes 1) a main connector anchor block assembly 32 providing means for connecting to the conventional trigger assembly 12; and 2) a trigger assist assembly 34 which is connected to the main connector anchor block assembly 32 in a manner to be explained.

The main connector anchor block assembly 32 includes a U-shaped anchor block member 36 having an outer support leg section 38 interconnected a central support member 40.

The outer support leg section 38 includes a first leg section 42 parallel to a spaced second leg section 44.

The first leg section 42 is provided at an upper end thereof with a trigger pivot pin hole 46 aligned with a similar hole in the second leg section 44 as will be noted.

The second leg section 44 is provided with 1) an upper trigger pivot pin hole 46 aligned with the trigger pivot pin hole 46 in the first leg section 42; and 2) a pair of spaced internally threaded anchor holes 50 for reasons to be noted.

The trigger assist assembly 34 includes 1) a main trigger lever member 54 pivotally connected to the outer support leg section 38; and 2) a trigger and roller support assembly 56 connected to the main trigger lever member 54 and the anchor block member 36 as will be noted.

The main trigger lever member 54 includes a curved trigger member 58 resembling the existing trigger member 14 except mounted in an adjacent upside down relationship as noted in FIG. 2.

The curved trigger member 58, as noted in FIG. 5, includes an actuator section 60 integral with a pivot connector section 62. The actuator 60 is of arcuate shape and operable to receive a person's trigger firing forefinger there against as will be described.

The pivot connector section 62 is provided with 1) a pair of aligned roller shaft openings 64; 2) a roller actuator slot or cut-out 65; and 3) a pair of aligned trigger support openings 66 for reasons to be noted.

As best noted in FIG. 5, the trigger and roller support assembly 56 includes 1) a trigger pivot member 68; 2) connector block anchor members 70; and 3) a roller assembly 78.

The trigger pivot member 68 is a pivot pin 74 adapted to be placed through the aligned trigger pivot pin holes 46 in the first leg section 42 and the second leg section 44.

The connector block anchor members 70 are conventional Allen screws, each having an Allen head member 76 with a body member 78.

Each body member 78 is provided with external threads 80; an outer pointed anchor section 82; and an Allen wrench opening 84.

The pointed anchor section 82 is operable to engage and secure the entire main connector anchor block assembly 32 to the outer oval guard member 26 of the trigger guard assembly 16 as noted in FIG. 4.

Each Allen wrench opening 84 is of a conventional six-sided shape so as to receive a head of a conventional Allen wrench therein for ease of rotation of the Allen head members 76 for connecting and releasing purposes in a conventional manner.

The roller assembly 72 includes a roller member 86 rotatably mounted on a roller support shaft member 88 and positioned in the roller actuator slot or cut-out 65.

The roller member 86 has an outer contact surface 90 engageable with an adjacent portion of the existing trigger member 14 and, more specifically, a lower portion of the curved trigger section 18.

The roller member 86 is also provided with a central anchor hole 92 to receive the roller support shaft member 88 which allows rotation of the roller member 86 thereon.

It is obvious that the trigger assist mechanism 10 of this invention can be constructed of numerous metal materials or can be of a high strength plastic composition.

USE AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

In the use and operation of this invention, the trigger assist mechanism 10 is operable to be securely anchored adjacent a conventional trigger assembly as found on a firearm or weapon apparatus such as a pistol, shotgun, rifle, early manufactured weapons, or the like.

The main connector anchor block assembly 32 is operable to place the outer support leg section 38, namely, the first leg section 42 and the second leg section 44 about the trigger guard assembly 16 of the conventional trigger assembly 12 as noted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.

The U-shaped anchor block member 36 is thereupon adjusted vertically and laterally so as to place the central support member 40 in abutting relationship with the anchor section 31 of the oval guard member 26 of the conventional trigger assembly 12.

Next, a conventional Allen wrench member can be utilized with the respective Allen head members 76 mounted within the spaced respective threaded anchor holes 50 so as to place the external threads 80 of the Allen head member 76 into locking engagement with internal threads within the spaced threaded anchor holes 50.

The Allen wrench member can then be utilized in a conventional manner with a head portion thereof placed in the respective Allen wrench openings 84 and rotated in a clockwise direction to achieve engagement of the outer pointed anchor sections 82 with an outer surface of the oval guard member 26 as best noted in FIG. 4.

At this time, the main connector anchor block assembly 32 is adjustable laterally so as to place the main trigger lever member 54 in an abutting and adjacent relationship with the existing trigger member 14 and, more specifically, the curved trigger section 18 as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

After the above adjustment has been made, the trigger assist mechanism 10 of this invention is operable to be utilized to cause a pivotal movement of the existing trigger member 14 by the main trigger lever member 54 of this invention.

As noted in FIG. 6, a person's forefinger on a trigger actuator hand is normally utilized as a “trigger finger” and is squeezed rearwardly as shown by an arrow 96 in FIG. 6. This squeezing or slightly rearward movement of a trigger finger on a person actuating the conventional trigger assembly 12 operates through contact with the roller member 86 and, specifically, an outer contact surface 90 against a lower portion of the curved trigger section 18 on the existing trigger member 14. This acts through a leverage function so that less pressure is required against the main trigger lever member 54 and its curved trigger member 58 to force rearward pivotal movement of the existing trigger member 14. The existing trigger member 14 pivots about the trigger pivot pin 22 to cause a firing action within a firing mechanism in a conventional manner in the firearm or weapon apparatus.

The purpose and function of the trigger assist mechanism 10 of this invention is to require less pressure to be applied to the main trigger lever member 54 which, in turn, through the roller member 86 operates to move the existing trigger member 14 without any jerking type motion on operation of the trigger assist mechanism 10.

It has been found the trigger assist mechanism 10, as designed and illustrated herein, is operable with a large percentage of existing or conventional trigger assemblies 12 as found on existing firearm and weapon apparatus including the aforementioned pistols, shotguns, rifles, early manufactured weapons, and the like.

The trigger assist mechanism 10 is sturdy in construction; adjustable and reliable in repeat trigger firing operations to cause the operation of a trigger pull function on firing a firearm or weapon apparatus; and substantially maintenance free.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a preferred specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims: 

1. A trigger assist mechanism adapted to be connected to an existing: conventional trigger actuator assembly and adjacent an existing trigger member as found on pistols, rifles, shotguns, early manufactured weapons, and the like, comprising: a) a main connector anchor block assembly operable to be adjustably and releasably connected in an adjacent cooperation relationship to the existing trigger member; b) a trigger assist assembly including a main trigger lever member connected to said main connector anchor block assembly and engageable with the existing trigger member in a normal trigger firing operation; and c) said main trigger lever member having an actuator section that contacts the existing trigger member and moves same requiring less pressure thereagainst to achieve a trigger firing operation.
 2. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein: a) said main connector anchor block assembly includes an anchor block member connectable to a trigger guard assembly on the existing conventional trigger actuator assembly; b) said anchor block member has said main trigger lever member pivotally connected thereto; and c) said main trigger lever member is pivoted into contact with the existing trigger member during the trigger firing operation to pivot the existing trigger member rearward to actuate a conventional firing mechanism connected to the existing trigger member.
 3. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein: a) said anchor block member includes an outer support leg section with spaced, parallel leg sections interconnected by a central support member; and b) said leg sections having aligned trigger pivot pin holes to receive a pivot pin on which said main trigger lever member is pivotally mounted for movement from an inactive to an active position.
 4. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 3, wherein: a) one of said leg sections having an anchor hole to receive a connector block anchor member therein for securing to the existing conventional trigger actuator assembly.
 5. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 4, wherein: a) said one of said leg sections having a pair of adjacent said anchor holes therein; b) each of said anchor holes operable to receive one of said connector block anchor members therein for secure anchoring to the existing conventional trigger actuator assembly.
 6. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein: a) said main trigger lever member includes a cut-out section with a contact member engageable with the existing trigger member to cause movement thereof.
 7. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 6, wherein: a) said contact member is a roller member rotatably mounted on a roller support shaft member to achieve minimum frictional contact to the existing trigger member.
 8. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein: a) said main trigger lever member of an arcuate shape being a curved trigger member with an actuator section integral with a pivot connector section; and b) said pivot connector section includes a pair of aligned roller shaft openings and aligned trigger support openings.
 9. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 8, wherein: a) said trigger assist assembly including a trigger and roller support assembly having a trigger pivot member mounted within said trigger support openings and a roller support shaft member mounted within said roller shaft openings and a roller member mounted on said roller support shaft member; whereby said main trigger lever member is pivotally mounted on said trigger pivot member and said roller member is rotatable about said roller support shaft member.
 10. A trigger assist mechanism connected to an existing conventional trigger actuator assembly found on weapons, pistols, rifles, shotguns and the like, comprising: a) a conventional trigger actuator assembly having a trigger guard assembly mounted about an existing trigger member; b) a main connector anchor block assembly connected to said trigger guard assembly and a trigger assist assembly pivotally connected to said main connector anchor block assembly; and c) said trigger assist assembly includes a main trigger lever member mounted adjacent said existing trigger member and engageable therewith on a firing rearward movement of said main trigger lever member requiring less force to move said existing trigger member to a fired condition.
 11. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 10, wherein: a) said main connector anchor block assembly includes an anchor block member having an anchor hole with a connector block anchor member mounted therein; and b) said connector block anchor member engageable with said trigger guard assembly for rigidly securing in an adjusted position on said trigger guard assembly.
 12. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 11, wherein: a) said anchor block member having a pair of adjacent said anchor holes, each having one of said connector block anchor members mounted therein for additional rigidity in connection to said trigger guard assembly.
 13. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 11, wherein: a) said connector block anchor member is an Allen head member with an outer pointed anchor section engageable with said trigger guard assembly.
 14. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 10, wherein: a) said main trigger lever member of an arcuate shape resembling in shape a conventional firearm trigger member and having a curved actuator section integral with a pivot connector section; and b) said pivot connector section having 1) roller shaft openings with a roller support shaft member mounted therein to receive a roller member rotatably mounted thereon; and 2) trigger support openings to receive a trigger pivot member therein to receive and support said main trigger lever member mounted thereon.
 15. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 14, wherein: a) said roller member having an outer contact surface engageable with an outer surface of said existing trigger member to achieve rearward movement thereof to a trigger actuated position to activate an interconnected firing mechanism in a known conventional manner.
 16. A trigger assist mechanism adapted to be connected to a conventional trigger actuator assembly found on weapons, pistols, rifles, shotguns, and the like, comprising: a) a main connector anchor block assembly having a trigger assist assembly pivotally connected to said main connector anchor block assembly; b) said main connector anchor block assembly includes an anchor block member operable to be connected to a trigger guard assembly on the conventional trigger assembly; c) said trigger assist assembly includes a main trigger lever member of arcuate shape pivotally connected to said anchor block member and operable to be positioned adjacent an existing trigger member of the conventional trigger actuator assembly; whereby said main trigger lever member is pivoted rearwardly in a firearm actuation movement and pivots the existing trigger member rearward to a fired condition requiring less trigger movement force than required without said trigger assist mechanism of this invention.
 17. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 16, wherein: a) said main connector anchor block assembly includes a U-shaped anchor block member having a pair of parallel leg sections interconnected at one end by a central support member; and b) each of said leg sections having a trigger support opening with a trigger pivot pin therein to receive and support said main trigger lever member thereon for pivotal movement.
 18. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 17; wherein: a) one of said leg sections having an anchor hole with a connector block anchor member mounted therein for securing to the conventional trigger actuator assembly;
 19. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 18; wherein: a) said one of said leg sections having a pair of adjacent said anchor holes, each having one of said connector block anchor members mounted therein for added rigidity on securing to the conventional trigger actuator assembly.
 20. A trigger assist mechanism as described in claim 14; wherein: a) said main trigger lever member having a cut-out section to receive and support said roller member therein. 